Peg Leg Porker pitmaster and whiskey maker Carey Bringle is definitely celebrating the birthday of America a little early with the release of his new 250th Anniversary Bottled-in-Bond Spirit of America bourbon, a 100-proof bottled-in-bond whiskey that officially comes out over Memorial Day weekend. To celebrate the holiday and the whiskey, Bringle is inviting everyone to join him at a release party at Bringle’s Smoking Oasis (4901 Centennial Blvd.) on Saturday, May 23, from 1 until 4 p.m.
Admission is free, and Bringle will provide apple pie and hot dogs for everyone, gratis. Other food and drinks will be available for purchase, and there will be live music during the event. A portion of the proceeds from the Spirit of America Limited Edition will be donated to Hearty Hog's Veterans BBQ Camp, a Tennessee nonprofit that empowers military veterans by teaching them the art of barbecue.
Jackalope Brewing Co. is coming up on 15 years of operation, demonstrating a real estate savvy rivaled only by fellow brewer Linus Hall at Yazoo. To celebrate, they’re throwing four days of free parties from May 21 through 23 at the Wedgewood Houston Taproom at 429B Houston St. Expect live music, special beer releases and other festivities. In fact, here’s the whole schedule, straight from Jackalope, so you can plan your weekend:
Thursday, May 21: Happy Birthday
- 5-8 p.m.:Singer-songwriter Brad Sample
- 6-9 p.m.: Flash tattoo artist
- 7-7:30 p.m.: Birthday cake and beer toast with Steve Wright, Bailey Spalding and Carl Meier
- Space Gems IPA release — a limited-edition anniversary brew debuting exclusively at the taproom
- Jackalope Casper release — a vault beer returning one-night only at the taproom
Friday, May 22: DJ Night
- 5-9 p.m.: Draft truck and parking lot grill
- 5:30-10:30 p.m.: DJ set with Guy Fell
- Any Port in the Storm release — a vault beer returning for the anniversary weekend
Saturday, May 23: Yacht Rock Party
- Noon-9 p.m.: Draft truck and parking lot grill
- Noon-7 p.m.: Carl Meier “Dad’s Been Drinkin’” vinyl DJ set
- 2-6 p.m.: photo booth
- 2-6 p.m.: Vinyl spin art — live spinning art demonstrations
- 7:30-10:30 p.m.: Live performance by Kandace and the Gents
- Black Abbey Steve Wit-Wood, Black Abbey Barrel-Aged Maibock — vault beers returning for the anniversary weekend
Sunday, May 24: Family Day
- Noon-7 p.m.: Draft truck and parking lot grill
- 1-4 p.m.: Live band: Tom Baker
- 1-4 p.m.: Face paint, glitter tattoos and balloon twisting
- 2-6 p.m.: Walking magician
- 4-5 p.m.: Pet parade — costume contest, crowd judging, prizes
- 5-8 p.m.: Pam Miller Band
- All Day: Cotton candy station and popcorn stand
- All Day: Hourly raffle — partner prizes, must be present to win
Another local brewery is also celebrating a major milestone on May 30 as Bearded Iris turns 10. The actual brewing has moved to Memphis after the recent sale to Wiseacre, but Germantown is the ancestral home to the brand, and the taproom at 101 Van Buren St. is still an important part of the neighborhood.
To celebrate a decade, Bearded Iris has invited a bunch of their favorite friends from the neighborhood for a daylong fair from noon until 8 p.m. According to their Instagram post, here’s what Bearded Iris has planned:
- A lux wine popup by @saucednashville
- Guest cocktails from @nocturna.nashville | @mothersruinnashville | @barrelproofnashville
- Food from @fishmongernashville and @littlehatsmarket
- Tunes from @__c_v_z @kensable_music @thewhooligan
- Flash tattoos from @asianryan.tattoo and zanependergast.tattoo from our lovely neighbors at @sunrisetattoo
Of course, Bearded Iris will provide the beer, including bringing back some past favorites just for this special occasion. Drop into the taproom to congratulate them on 10 years of great beers.
Nashville PBS (WNPT) is partnering with storyteller and social change explorer (and Nashville Scene podcast co-host) Jerome Moore for a family-friendly pizza party on Saturday, May 30, at WNPT’s headquarters at 161 Rains Ave. Despite the address, this event will happen, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., and guests will enjoy pizza samples from some of Nashville’s best pie masters.
They’re still adding names to the list, but here’s at least a partial roster of who will be serving up slices:
- 312 Pizza
- City House
- Five Points Pizza
- Nicky’s Coal Fired
- Pinky Ring Pizza
- Pizza Assurda (Food Truck)
- Pizza Lolo
- St. Vito’s
Other participating chefs include:
- Alex Belew, Hell’s Kitchen winner (Chinwag)
- Gerard Craft, James Beard Award-winning chef (Niche Food Group)
- Chef Davis Reese (Culinary Organizer)
- Tandy Wilson, James Beard Award-winning chef (City House)
Different ticketing levels entitle attendees to additional slices, so investigate your options at the ticketing page. There will also be lawn games, face-painting and a kid’s pizza-making station featuring Hell’s Kitchen champion Alex Belew.
Kick off Pride Month on June 4 with a special dinner supporting the vital work of the ACLU of Tennessee. Whenever there’s and event to support LGBTQ issues or Pride events, you can pretty much count on chef David Andrews of D'Andrews Bakery, Brian Riggenbach and Mikey Corona of Tio Fun and Mockingbird Nashville, and Arnold Myint of International Market to step up, and they’ve done it again!
This fearsome foursome of kitchen talent is creating a collaborative multicourse dinner menu that revolves around their personal stories and the spirit of Pride. There will be multiple seatings at International Market from 5 until 8:30 p.m., and tickets are $125 per person. Due to the nature of this event, they will do their best to accommodate dietary restrictions, but accommodations are not guaranteed. Your reservation does not include additional beverages, taxes or gratuity.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the ACLU and their ongoing work to protect civil liberties for all. All sales are final, so mark it in ink on your calendar and head to the reservations page to hold your seat at the table.
